The article focuses on the work of an Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) that operated in a north London borough (England) between 1995 and 2000. The ACPC included members from social services, police, probation, education, health, and local survivors' organizations. The ACPC's objectives were to raise public awareness of child protection work, encourage the public to refer child abuse to the statutory authorities, and to promote a positive view of child protection work. The strategy aimed at both the general public and adults within the community who could be identified as effective protectors of children. The training and information campaigns of the ACPC resulted in more abusive situations being appropriately reported at an early stage. The ACPC also was instrumental in the implementation of community notification strategies with reference to sex offenders in the community. The ACPC and its work came to an abrupt end, however, following a change in management that involved a more top-down approach that focused on target-setting, increased involvement of consultants that demoralized experienced staff, and a preoccupation with the review of serious cases. Little time was left for creative multiagency approaches to involving the community in child protection. 10 references